Andrew Crofts will be leading from the front again in Albion’s FA Cup scrap against Rushden and Diamonds – after his first booking for eight months.

The current captain saw yellow against the yellow and greens of Norwich on Tuesday for his involvement in a 20-man brawl.

A nasty tackle by Dean Cox on Darel Russell led to everyone piling in at Carrow Road, except for Graeme Smith and Tommy Elphick at the other end of the pitch.

Crofts was puzzlingly singled out for punishment by referee Keith Hill, together with Cox and Russell.

Even more surprising is that it was Crofts’ first caution in 30 appearances, stretching back to a spell on loan to Wrexham from Gillingham in March.

That is some record for a central midfielder who, by his own admission, enjoys a bit of rough and tumble.

Crofts said: “I think everyone knows I like the aggressive part of the game. I was just trying to break it up more than anything.

“I asked the ref a couple of times but he didn’t say what it was for. That was my first booking.

“You don’t mind picking up bookings if they are worthy. Everyone just wants to do well.”

Crofts has done pretty well since Gus Poyet took charge. Made captain in the absence from the team of Adam Virgo, he scored at Southampton and then his first at Withdean in the FA Cup replay against Wycombe.

He nearly struck again in the first half at Norwich but team-mate Liam Dickinson accidentally blocked a low drive on target.

Crofts, who also skippered the Gills, is modest about the example he is setting.

He said: “First and foremost you have got to concentrate on what you do best as a player. Obviously the lads look to you to be a leader and play well.

“It is an honour but, as I have said before, everyone is a captain out there on the pitch.”

Albion have followed two wins under Poyet against Southampton and Wycombe with two heavy defeats at the hands of Norwich and Leeds Crofts wants a return to winning ways against a Rushden side who, although going well in the Blue Square premier, start as big underdogs.

He said: “It’s frustrating. We are playing well but leaking a few goals. Everyone is working hard to prevent that and hopefully we will put it right soon. This is another game in a short period of time. It’s a big game, because we want to get through to the next round.

“It’s going to be a different game from Tuesday. Norwich are a very good team but Rushden are full of confidence as well.

“Sometimes these can be tough games to handle but we are not going to worry about them, we are going to concentrate on ourselves and putting in a good performance.”

If Albion are to progress they will have to do it without Glenn Murray, who is suspended for a convenient fifth booking collected at Norwich.

Crofts said: “Muzza has been playing well. He will be back for Tuesday (Charlton at home) and that is a big game as well.

“We are going to miss him but we have got a lot of good strikers here.”